Improvement of Diabetes after a VASER Liposuction

Recently, there has been a study conducted to examine the liposuction-induced metabolic changes with regard to release of major adipokines and insulin sensitivity in overweight male patients.

Figure 1:  Before and After Photos (6 weeks after surgery) of 4 D VASER Liposuction performed by Dr. Emmanuel De La Cruz in Houston, Texas.

• "To eliminate the confounding effects of postsurgical inflammation and to evaluate delayed metabolic effects, fasting blood was collected on the day of liposuction, within 1 to 2 months and more than 6 months after surgery."
• "Both treatment groups (diabetic and nondiabetic patients) experienced similar postsurgical weight reduction with concomitant lowering of body mass index value at 1 to 2 months follow-up, which was sustained after 6 months from surgery."
• "Improvement in insulin sensitivity at 1 to 2 months follow-up was observed ( p = .017 and p = .002, for diabetics and nondiabetics, respectively) and this change persisted over the next 4 months."

This study shows that there may be beneficial effects of VASER Liposuction in overweight diabetic and non-diabetic males by improving their insulin sensitivity.

Reference:

Gibas-Dorna, et al.. The Effect of VASER Abdominal Liposuction on Metabolic Profile in Overweight Males.  Am J Mens Health. 2017 Mar;11(2):284-293. doi: 10.1177/1557988316674841. Epub 2016 Oct 22.

Emmanuel De La Cruz MD

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon

Lymphatic Massage after Liposuction

One may notice a hardness or lumpiness to the areas treated with liposuction and/or with other body contouring procedures (such as fat injections for what is popularly known as the Brazilian Butt Lift).   This post-surgical lymphedema is caused by inflammation and trauma from the cannula (instrument that sucks out the fat) moving under the skin.  Channels are formed by the cannula that can fill up with fluid and the tissue also becomes swollen.  Manual Lymphatic Massage helps to move the fluid by gently pumping it back into the lymph vessels.  Reducing the swelling can reduce discomfort and may reduce contour irregularities after a   liposuction procedure.  Without Lymph Massage (LDT or MLD) the inflammation can evolve into fibrosis (a permanent hardening of the tissue) or a seroma ( pocket of serum) can form.  It is imperative that one should follow the post-operative protocol of your plastic surgeon to achieve the best possible results and avoid developing fibrosis and even possibly contour irreguarities.

Clinical studies have shown that lymphatic massage also improved the clinical outcome after a cryolipolysis procedure.   The study had shown that post-treatment manual massage resulted in a mean fat layer reduction was 68% greater in the massage side than in the non-massage side as measured by ultrasound at 2 months post-treatment.  At 4 months, mean fat layer reduction was 44% greater in the massage side.   Histological results showed no evidence of necrosis or fibrosis resulting from the massage.

I do NOT recommend receiving a general therapeutic, deep tissue or Swedish Massage in lieu of a lymphatic massage therapy after a liposuction procedure.

Emmanuel De La Cruz MD, PLLC

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon, Houston Texas

References:

Boey, et al.  Enhanced clinical outcome with manual massage following cryolipolysis treatment: a 4-month study of safety and efficacy.  Lasers Surg Med. 2014 Jan;46(1):20-6.

SMART Liposuction vs Traditional Liposuction

Comparison of SmartLipo versus Traditional Liposuction

• A prospective randomized clinical study showed that there's no clinical difference between the traditional liposuction versus laser-assisted liposuction using the SmartLipo machine.

•  There's less pain, lower lipocrits, higher triglycerides, and DNA cellular membrane traces were detected in the laser-assisted lipoplasty sides as compared to the traditional liposuction.

• Higher concentrations of free-fatty acids after laser-assisted lipoplasty was found.  It's recommended that this should alert us to any possible hepatic and renal toxicity.

References:

Pradeo, et al. A prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial comparing laser-assisted lipoplasty with suction-assisted lipoplasty. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2006 Sep 15;118(4):1032-45.